A versatile front court adds yet another option

A healthy dose of perspective is necessary when assessing the first extended NBA action of Australian center Aron Baynes.

No. 1, it came against the Charlotte Bobcats, a team so devoid of talent they were forced to give a budding draft bust named Bismack Biyombo 28 minutes at center.

No. 2, it came with Tim Duncan, Matt Bonner and DeJuan Blair all sitting on the bench in street clothes.

Playing time will be tough to come by with the aforementioned trio back in the mix. Particularly once the playoff begin, when rotations typically shrink in accordance with the margin for error.

Indeed, with only 13 players allowed to dress for games, it’s a solid bet we’ll be getting plenty of looks at the business casual portion of Baynes’ wardrobe in the coming weeks. (Case in point, a notice that Baynes has been assigned to the Toros arrived just as I typed this.)

It still means something that Baynes was able to give the Spurs exactly what they were expecting in his 18 minutes. He pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, set at least twice as many screens — including several of the illegal variety — and put a body on anything that moved.

Most players model their games after the likes of LeBron James or Kevin Durant. Baynes looks to Reggie Evans for his inspiration, and that tells you just about all you need to know about the newest Spur. If that doesn’t do the trick, there’s the evocative nickname bestowed by countryman/teammate Patty Mills: Bangers.

Built like a bouncer at 6-foot-10, 260 pounds, with muscles competing for space on his massive frame, Baynes brings something new to a crowded frontcourt that already had plenty.

Sure, the Spurs could still use a springy, athletic shot blocker. So could just about every other team in the NBA. But with the exception of the small lineups favored by Miami and Oklahoma City, they would seem to have a lineup for just about every occasion.

There’s Duncan’s all-around excellence, Boris Diaw’s guard skills, Tiago Splitter’s elite pick-and-roll game, Matt Bonner’s long-range shooting and whatever DeJuan Blair still brings from the end of the bench. And now a potential enforcer to inflict bruises on the opposition.

“It’s another good weapon to have for Pop for…the type of team we’re playing,” Duncan said. “You get to have another big in there that does something a little different for us. We have all kinds of options. It’s good that have those options with all the different kinds of teams…we’re going to face throughout the playoffs. That’s what we’re preparing for.”

Provided the top seeds advanced, these are the teams the Spurs would be facing in every round through the Finals if the playoffs started today:

First round — Houston

Second round — Memphis

Western Conference Finals — Oklahoma City

Finals — Miami

As noted, it’s difficult to see Baynes playing much of a role against either the Heat or the Thunder, who boast the two most versatile and difficult matchup problems in the world with James and Durant. Slide them to power forward, and the Spurs are forced to follow suit with Kawhi Leonard and Stephen Jackson. With Duncan and Tiago Splitter soaking up every available minute at center, there’s none left over for a burly, rebound-centric big.

Houston and Memphis, however, are a different story. Particularly the Grindhouse Grizzlies, one of the few remaining teams that still adheres to the maxim that big is beautiful with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. That’s a tandem Baynes was seemingly born to contest.

And that’s the beauty of versatility. What works in one series might not work in another. With what appears to be another sound option at his disposal, Popovich isn’t beholden to banging round pegs through square holes. Under the right circumstances, he can leave that job to Bangers.

“He brings one more thing,” Boris Diaw said, “as far as being a beast inside, getting some rebounds, doing all the hustle plays. It’s definitely a plus for the team.”